By Howard Koplowitz
A second-grade class from a Flushing elementary school took time out of their week-long vacation to help Haiti.
Jaci Yong and Lavanya Pinnepalli, both 7, from Class 2-206 in PS 21 organized a bowling outing for their classmates with the proceeds going to the American Red Cross’ Haiti relief fund.
“They’re bowling two games. They’re getting sponsored for each pin by residents, friends, family,” said Jaci’s father, Amris Yong. “We’ve gotten about $1.25 per bowler for each pin.”
Twelve students from the class participated in the event Friday at Whitestone Lanes, which discounted the price of the games for the pupils and gave them free bowling shoes.
Sponsors of the children pledged between 5 cents and 50 cents, which should mean hundreds of dollars for charity.
Natalia Rivera, 7, of Whitestone, said the earthquake that rocked Haiti last month was unfortunate.
“People don’t like it. It’s very unhappy,” she said. “It should never even happened.”
“They need a lot of help,” said her classmate, Denion Prifti, an 8-year-old from Flushing.
“It’s pretty sorry. It’s very sad,” said Sklyer Blechner, 7, of Flushing.
Christina Yong, Jaci’s mother, said her daughter, who along with Lavanya are known as the “class philanthropists,” was looking for a way to aid Haiti.
“She wanted to help out but wasn’t sure, so we gave them a few ideas and this was one of them,” she said.
Lavanya had the high score of all of her teammates, bowling a 103.
“Before I went to play the game I felt it wouldn’t go well,” she said. “But looking at the scores I feel happy.”
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
